20 Things That Are Secretly Lowering the Value of Your House

January 1, 2017Doug Murray

When it comes to how much your house is worth, you know that it’s all about location, location, location, right? Not exactly. There are many other factors that come into play, many of which you may never have thought of. These are some of the things that are secretly bringing down the value of your house.

Real Estate

20 Things That Are Secretly Lowering the Value of Your House

January 1, 2017 Doug Murray

When it comes to how much your house is worth, you know that it’s all about location, location, location, right? Not exactly. There are many other factors that come into play, many of which you may never have thought of. These are some of the things that are secretly bringing down the value of your house.

1. Complicated Paint Jobs

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1. Complicated Paint Jobs

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According to <a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/real-estate/advice/g1616/mistakes-decrease-home-value/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a>, prospective buyers prefer an exterior colour that fits in with the rest of the neighbourhood and also suits the style of the house. In addition, complicated paint effects such as trims in contrasting colours are distracting while you can make a room look bigger by sticking to the same colour for the walls and the trims.

Real Estate20 Things That Are Secretly Lowering the Value of Your House

1. Complicated Paint Jobs

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According to <a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/real-estate/advice/g1616/mistakes-decrease-home-value/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a>, prospective buyers prefer an exterior colour that fits in with the rest of the neighbourhood and also suits the style of the house. In addition, complicated paint effects such as trims in contrasting colours are distracting while you can make a room look bigger by sticking to the same colour for the walls and the trims.

2. Pebbledash Walls

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2. Pebbledash Walls

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<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/property/property-market/10168770/Top-10-things-that-devalue-your-home.html" target="_blank">The Telegraph</a> says that if you have pebbledash or roughcast walls, you can cut your asking price by 7%. These coarse, grey finishes look dated and are a huge hassle to remove or repair.

Real Estate20 Things That Are Secretly Lowering the Value of Your House

2. Pebbledash Walls

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<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/property/property-market/10168770/Top-10-things-that-devalue-your-home.html" target="_blank">The Telegraph</a> says that if you have pebbledash or roughcast walls, you can cut your asking price by 7%. These coarse, grey finishes look dated and are a huge hassle to remove or repair.

3. Poorly Functioning or Broken Door Locks

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3. Poorly Functioning or Broken Door Locks

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Your front door creates one of the first impressions prospective buyers will get. According to House Beautiful, a lock that doesn’t work properly or any other signs of neglect around your front door will make buyers wonder what else in your house you haven’t been paying attention to.

Real Estate20 Things That Are Secretly Lowering the Value of Your House

3. Poorly Functioning or Broken Door Locks

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Your front door creates one of the first impressions prospective buyers will get. According to House Beautiful, a lock that doesn’t work properly or any other signs of neglect around your front door will make buyers wonder what else in your house you haven’t been paying attention to.

4. Trees Planted too Close to the House or Driveway

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4. Trees Planted too Close to the House or Driveway

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Trees around your house or along the driveway can look wonderful, but in time, their roots may cause structural problems. House Beautiful suggests that before you plant anything, you need to think about what it will look like in 20 years’ time.

Real Estate20 Things That Are Secretly Lowering the Value of Your House

4. Trees Planted too Close to the House or Driveway

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Trees around your house or along the driveway can look wonderful, but in time, their roots may cause structural problems. House Beautiful suggests that before you plant anything, you need to think about what it will look like in 20 years’ time.

5. A Pool and Complicated Landscaping

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5. A Pool and Complicated Landscaping

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You’d think that a pool or intricate landscaping would add value to your house but according to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/factors-lessen-home-value-2015-11" target="_blank">Business Insider</a>, these features can scare off potential buyers. They may not want to have to deal with the time, effort and cost of maintenance, especially in a cool climate.

Real Estate20 Things That Are Secretly Lowering the Value of Your House

5. A Pool and Complicated Landscaping

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You’d think that a pool or intricate landscaping would add value to your house but according to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/factors-lessen-home-value-2015-11" target="_blank">Business Insider</a>, these features can scare off potential buyers. They may not want to have to deal with the time, effort and cost of maintenance, especially in a cool climate.

6. uPVC Window Frames and Sills

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6. uPVC Window Frames and Sills

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Even though window frames and sills made of uPVC are more energy efficient than traditional materials such as wood, some models can look ugly and cheap. The Telegraph says that replacing them can cost thousands.

Real Estate20 Things That Are Secretly Lowering the Value of Your House

6. uPVC Window Frames and Sills

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Even though window frames and sills made of uPVC are more energy efficient than traditional materials such as wood, some models can look ugly and cheap. The Telegraph says that replacing them can cost thousands.

7. Neglected Wooden Floors

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7. Neglected Wooden Floors

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Wooden floors are classic, but if you don’t clean them correctly, they can become dull over time. House Beautiful suggests that you have them buffed every few years to make them look shiny and well cared for.

Real Estate20 Things That Are Secretly Lowering the Value of Your House

7. Neglected Wooden Floors

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Wooden floors are classic, but if you don’t clean them correctly, they can become dull over time. House Beautiful suggests that you have them buffed every few years to make them look shiny and well cared for.

8. A Painted Fireplace

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8. A Painted Fireplace

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Painting your fireplace can make it look dated very quickly. House Beautiful says that prospective buyers tend to prefer the look of exposed brick around fireplaces.

Real Estate20 Things That Are Secretly Lowering the Value of Your House

8. A Painted Fireplace

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Painting your fireplace can make it look dated very quickly. House Beautiful says that prospective buyers tend to prefer the look of exposed brick around fireplaces.

9. Hard-to-Clean Surfaces

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9. Hard-to-Clean Surfaces

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When you renovate your kitchen or bathroom, choose countertops that are made of an easy-to-clean material. According to House Beautiful, permanent stains and watermarks mean that a buyer will have to replace the entire countertop.

Real Estate20 Things That Are Secretly Lowering the Value of Your House

9. Hard-to-Clean Surfaces

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When you renovate your kitchen or bathroom, choose countertops that are made of an easy-to-clean material. According to House Beautiful, permanent stains and watermarks mean that a buyer will have to replace the entire countertop.

10. Old Appliances

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10. Old Appliances

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House Beautiful says that buyers don’t want to have to replace appliances such as stoves. They will pay more for a home with high-quality, well-maintained appliances that are easy to clean.

Real Estate20 Things That Are Secretly Lowering the Value of Your House

10. Old Appliances

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House Beautiful says that buyers don’t want to have to replace appliances such as stoves. They will pay more for a home with high-quality, well-maintained appliances that are easy to clean.

11. A Low-Quality Air Conditioning System

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11. A Low-Quality Air Conditioning System

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When you install an air conditioning system, it’s better to go for the highest quality suitable for your home, according to House Beautiful. It will not only increase your home’s resale value but will also reduce your hydro bill.

Real Estate20 Things That Are Secretly Lowering the Value of Your House

11. A Low-Quality Air Conditioning System

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When you install an air conditioning system, it’s better to go for the highest quality suitable for your home, according to House Beautiful. It will not only increase your home’s resale value but will also reduce your hydro bill.

12. Choosing the Wrong Tiles or Colours for Kitchens and Bathrooms

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12. Choosing the Wrong Tiles or Colours for Kitchens and Bathrooms

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House Beautiful says that a small kitchen or bathroom will look even smaller if it features small tiles. To make the room look bigger and more open, choose large tiles and light colours.

Real Estate20 Things That Are Secretly Lowering the Value of Your House

12. Choosing the Wrong Tiles or Colours for Kitchens and Bathrooms

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House Beautiful says that a small kitchen or bathroom will look even smaller if it features small tiles. To make the room look bigger and more open, choose large tiles and light colours.

13. Messy Children’s Bedrooms

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13. Messy Children’s Bedrooms

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The Telegraph says that your kids’ messy bedrooms can leave a bad impression and can cost you thousands of your asking price.

Real Estate20 Things That Are Secretly Lowering the Value of Your House

13. Messy Children’s Bedrooms

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The Telegraph says that your kids’ messy bedrooms can leave a bad impression and can cost you thousands of your asking price.

14. Not Deep Cleaning

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14. Not Deep Cleaning

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Before you show your house to potential buyers, you need to give it a thorough cleaning. House Beautiful says that buyers will be put off by things like stained grout, dirty ovens and other appliances and dusty tracks around windows and sinks.

Real Estate20 Things That Are Secretly Lowering the Value of Your House

14. Not Deep Cleaning

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Before you show your house to potential buyers, you need to give it a thorough cleaning. House Beautiful says that buyers will be put off by things like stained grout, dirty ovens and other appliances and dusty tracks around windows and sinks.

15. Neglecting the Little Details

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15. Neglecting the Little Details

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According to House Beautiful, prospective buyers look for details. They’ll notice when the windows are dirty or neglected, when not all the light switches work or when the garbage disposal doesn’t run properly.

Real Estate20 Things That Are Secretly Lowering the Value of Your House

15. Neglecting the Little Details

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According to House Beautiful, prospective buyers look for details. They’ll notice when the windows are dirty or neglected, when not all the light switches work or when the garbage disposal doesn’t run properly.

16. Bad Neighbours

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16. Bad Neighbours

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According to Business Insider, your neighbours can have a huge effect on the value of your home. When they are noisy or they have a cluttered, overgrown and neglected yard, you can expect to drop your asking price by between 5-10 per cent.

Real Estate20 Things That Are Secretly Lowering the Value of Your House

16. Bad Neighbours

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According to Business Insider, your neighbours can have a huge effect on the value of your home. When they are noisy or they have a cluttered, overgrown and neglected yard, you can expect to drop your asking price by between 5-10 per cent.

17. Bad Schools Nearby

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17. Bad Schools Nearby

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A good school in the neighbourhood can drive up the value of your home. A bad school, however, can bring down your asking price by 22.2%, according to <a href="http://www.realtor.com/news/things-that-affect-your-property-value/" target="_blank">Realtor.com</a>.

Real Estate20 Things That Are Secretly Lowering the Value of Your House

17. Bad Schools Nearby

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A good school in the neighbourhood can drive up the value of your home. A bad school, however, can bring down your asking price by 22.2%, according to <a href="http://www.realtor.com/news/things-that-affect-your-property-value/" target="_blank">Realtor.com</a>.

18. Power Plants and Power Lines Nearby

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18. Power Plants and Power Lines Nearby

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Living near a power plant, even if it’s a wind farm or a solar plant, can reduce the value of your home by between 3 and 7%, according to Business Insider. The Telegraph says that in addition, electricity pylons are perceived as a health risk and can cost you 30% of your asking price.

Real Estate20 Things That Are Secretly Lowering the Value of Your House

18. Power Plants and Power Lines Nearby

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Living near a power plant, even if it’s a wind farm or a solar plant, can reduce the value of your home by between 3 and 7%, according to Business Insider. The Telegraph says that in addition, electricity pylons are perceived as a health risk and can cost you 30% of your asking price.

19. A Hospital Nearby

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19. A Hospital Nearby

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While buyers would like easy access to good healthcare facilities, they don’t want to hear sirens or medical helicopters in the middle of the night. Realtor.com says that homes near hospitals cost an average of 3.2% less than those further away.

Real Estate20 Things That Are Secretly Lowering the Value of Your House

19. A Hospital Nearby

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While buyers would like easy access to good healthcare facilities, they don’t want to hear sirens or medical helicopters in the middle of the night. Realtor.com says that homes near hospitals cost an average of 3.2% less than those further away.

20. A Funeral Home or Cemetery Nearby

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20. A Funeral Home or Cemetery Nearby

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Funeral homes and cemeteries not only lead to traffic problems but people also find them a little creepy. Realtor.com says that a funeral home nearby can reduce your property’s value by 6.5% while a cemetery can lead to a drop of 12.3% in your asking price.

Real Estate20 Things That Are Secretly Lowering the Value of Your House

20. A Funeral Home or Cemetery Nearby

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Funeral homes and cemeteries not only lead to traffic problems but people also find them a little creepy. Realtor.com says that a funeral home nearby can reduce your property’s value by 6.5% while a cemetery can lead to a drop of 12.3% in your asking price.